Description

1864 Lincoln & Johnson Jugate Badge: The "Holy Grail" for
collectors of Pinback Jugates. The practice of producing
photographic badges showing both presidential and vice presidential
candidates began with the 1860 election, and jugate pins have been
produced for every major party political ticket since (as well as a
number of third parties, small and large). Among the jugate
celluloid buttons, introduced in 1896, the rarest is the legendary
Cox & Roosevelt jugate, with at least fifty examples known of
six different designs.
But the Cox & Roosevelt pales in rarity and significance when
compared to the 1864 Lincoln jugate offered here. There is but a
single variety of Lincoln & Johnson photographic jugate badge,
and only perhaps six or seven specimens are known. Heritage sold
one of these in February 2007 when it fetched $47,800 against a
pre-sale estimate of $25,000 - $35,000. At the time we accounted
for six known specimens, but believe this to be a seventh example
discovered more recently.

Over the years we have sold or at least personally inspected all
the known copies except for the long-missing Cornell University
example pictured in the Sullivan book. Accordingly, we can state
with authority that this is the finest known specimen. The tiny
tintype photos are as bright and flawless as they could be, and the
brass shell frame retains an original luster which we do not recall
being in evidence on the other examples. The piece that sold for
$47,800 in 2007, while in very fine shape, had a duller frame and
on magnification did exhibit minor marks in the field on both the
Lincoln and Johnson images. This is noted not to diminish that
specimen, but to acknowledge its relation to the current one in the
hierarchy of known copies.

If one aspires to assemble a complete run of jugate badges from
1860 forward, this Lincoln & Johnson, along with its McClellan
& Pendleton mate, represent THE keys to a complete set. Of
course this rarity is also highly sought-after among collectors of
Lincoln items of all categories. Condition is a very important
consideration among collectors, especially at this rarified level.
The opportunity to obtain the finest known example of this key
jugate may well deserve description as a "once in a lifetime"
opportunity! 31 x 33mm, choice condition with original pin on
verso.

Learn about consigning with us

The resulting auction of my property overwhelmed me. I want to thank Tom Slater and the Heritage team for a very satisfactory experience and profitable result with my historical consignment.
Henry L.,Lexington, KY